India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has come out in support of all-rounder Washington Sundar, stating the young player is still in the learning phase when it comes to batting in the crucial death overs of One-Day International cricket. This comes after Sundar managed scores of just 13 and 1 in the first two ODIs against South Africa, with India's innings losing momentum on both occasions.
The Learning Curve in a Specialised Role
Ahead of the decisive third ODI against South Africa on Saturday, December 5, 2025, Ten Doeschate addressed the media. He emphasized that batting in the final overs has become a highly specialised skill in the modern game. "I think Washi is still learning when it comes to batting, it's becoming a very specialised role now coming in late overs, and there's certain things he wants to work on," the Dutchman said during the pre-match press conference.
The coach's comments highlight the ongoing debate about Sundar's role in the team under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Several former cricketers have pointed out a perceived lack of clarity, especially regarding his batting responsibilities. Despite the recent low scores, Ten Doeschate was quick to defend the player's confidence, noting his strong performances over the past 12 to 16 months.
Context of the Series and Bowling Conundrum
The batting slowdown at the death was stark in both matches, even as Virat Kohli anchored the innings with centuries. Sundar's brief stays at the crease contributed to this deceleration. However, the challenge for Sundar isn't limited to batting alone.
He has played only five ODIs in 2025 and has bowled his full quota of 10 overs in just one of those matches. Ten Doeschate explained this is partly due to team composition and match-ups. "I think when it comes to a finger spinner you always need to get match-ups for a left-hander, right-hander and essentially Washi is one of the six bowlers," he stated.
He further clarified that with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav also in the mix, the team is unlikely to bowl more than 20 overs of spin in the prevailing conditions, making it a selection puzzle for the management.
Looking Ahead: Mindset and Future
Ten Doeschate firmly dismissed any notion that the recent performances would dent Sundar's self-belief. "No, it won't affect his confidence, he's had a very good 12 months, even more in the last 16 months. He has played some good cricket in the two games where he hasn't given up," the assistant coach asserted.
This public backing from the coaching staff indicates that the team management views Sundar as a work in progress, particularly in refining his power-hitting skills at the end of an innings. His development in this specific role will be crucial for balancing the Indian side as they build towards future tournaments. The focus now shifts to the series decider, where Sundar will hope to translate this learning into a match-winning performance.
